Blake Lively is CinemaCon’s Breakthrough Performer of the Year

Blake Lively will receive the “CinemaCon Breakthrough Performer of the Year Award,” it was announced today by Mitch Neuhauser, managing director of CinemaCon, which will take place March 28 to 31 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Lively will be presented with this special honor at the inaugural “CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards” ceremony to take place on Thursday evening, March 31, in The Colosseum of Caesars Palace. The Coca-Cola Company, Official Presenting Sponsor of CinemaCon, will host the final night gala awards program.

“Blake recently captivated audiences and critics around the world with her stunning turn in ‘The Town,’ and ‘Green Lantern’ is one of the most-anticipated films of the year,” noted Neuhauser. “We are thrilled to honor such a wonderful young talent with the CinemaCon Breakthrough Performer of the Year Award.”

Lively will next be seen starring in the big-screen debut of the popular superhero “Green Lantern,” with the Warner Bros. Pictures release of this action adventure on June 17, 2011. Starring opposite Ryan Reynolds in the title role, and under the direction of Martin Campbell, Lively plays Carol Ferris. In a universe as vast as it is mysterious, a small but powerful force has existed for centuries. Protectors of peace and justice, they are called the Green Lantern Corps. A brotherhood of warriors sworn to keep intergalactic order, each Green Lantern wears a ring that grants him superpowers. When a new enemy, Parallax, threatens to destroy the balance of power, their fate and the fate of Earth lie in the hands of their newest recruit, the first human ever selected: Hal Jordan. With the encouragement of his childhood sweetheart, Carol Ferris, and his own determination and willpower, Hal may prove to not only be the key to defeating Parallax … he will become the greatest Green Lantern of all.

Lively first gained the attention of critics and audiences around the world with her starring role in 2005’s “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” a role she went on to reprise in 2008’s “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2.” Her additional film credits include “Accepted,” with Justin Long and Jonah Hill; the independent feature “Elvis & Annabelle,” opposite Max Minghella; and Rebecca Miller’s indie drama “The Private Lives of Pippa Lee.” Most recently, she starred in the critically acclaimed crime drama “The Town,” alongside Ben Affleck, who also directed the film. Currently, she is in production on the comedy “Hick,” with Chloe Moretz and Eddie Redmayne. Lively can also be seen on the small screen in “Gossip Girl.”